John mcgeath



(No Model.)

J. MQGRATH.

FOLDING TABLE. No. 299,241. Patented May 27, 1884..

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# INVENTOR:

BY M/M/W i ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS, Plmlolilhngnpher, Washinginn. ac.

r ion.

JOHN MOGRATH, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 299,241, dated May 27,, 1884. Application filed October 8, 1883. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN MOGRATH, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding Tables, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is an under side view of my improved folding table, partly folded. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same in position for use. Fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation of the same, taken through the broken line w m, Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a sectional elevation of a part of the same, taken through one of the bracket-bearings.

The object of this invention is to provide tables constructed in such a manner that they can be compactly folded for storage and trans portation, and when opened for use will be firm and rigid. Y

The invention consists in a folding table constructed with a table-top provided with hinged legs connected in pairs by cross-bars, and held in place by spring-pressed brackets constructed to engage with lugs attached to the said cross-bars and legs, so that the said legs will be held securely when folded and when unfolded, as will be hereinafter fully described.

A is the table-top,which is formed of three or more layers of veneer, glued to each other with the grain of one layer crossing the grain of the adjacent layer or layers. The top A, at its edges, is attached to a frame, 13, and is strengthened by longitudinal or cross bars 0, attached to it and to the said frame B. \Vith this construction the table-top can be made very light while havingthe requisite strength.

To the under side of the table-top A B 0, near each end, is hinged a pair of legs, D, which are connected by a cross-bar, E, so that the said legs will move together. The crossbar E of one pair of legs D is made shorter than the cross-bar of the other pair, so that one pair of legs will fold down between the legs of the other pair.

To bearings F, attached to the under side of the table-top A, B O, are hinged brackets G of the brace-ar1ns H, which are provided with long cross-rods I, pivoted to bearings J, also attached to the table-top. The outer endof each bracket G has a catch, K, made with a beveled end and a square shoulder formed upon or attached to it, and projecting in such a direction as to cross the edge of the crossbar E when the legs D are unfolded and the said bracket turned up to engage with a lug, L, attached to the said edge of the cross-bar to hold the said legs in place. held in place, when folded, by a catch, M, attached to the cross-rod I, and which, when the brackets G are turned down, engages with the lug L, as shown in the left-hand part of Fig. 1. The hinged ends of the brackets G are made square and rest against springs N, placed in recesses in the bearings F,and which aremade of sufficient strength to hold the said brackets securely in place when turned up and when turned down. a

To bearings 0, attached to the tabletop A B G, are hinged brackets P, which are made with an offset, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to pass beneath the cross-bars E, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The brace-arms Q of the brackets P are provided with cross-rods B, the ends of which are pivoted to bearings S, attached to the table-top. The outer ends of the brackets P are slotted to engage with lugs T, attached to the legs D, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 8, and thus assist in holding the said legs in place when unfolded. The ends of the brackets]? are made square, and rest upon springs U, placed in recesses in the bearings O, to hold the said brackets in place when turned up and when turned down. In the case of small tables the brackets P will not be required, the brackets G being sufficient to hold the legs D in place. In unfolding the table the brackets G are turned up to withdraw the catches M from the lugs L. The legs D are then unfolded, and as they come into position the catches K engage with the lugs L auto matically, and thus fasten the said legs in place. When additional security is required, the brackets P are turned up to cause their The legs D are slotted ends to engage with the lugs T. The

10 The combination of the table-top A, having hinged legs D, cross-bars E, and lugs L on said cross-bars, with the folding brackets G H I,

bearings FJ, springs N, and the catchesK M for engaging said lugs L to hold the hinged legs either in their folded or unfolded positions, I 5

substantially as set forth.

' JOHN MOGRATH. Witnesses:

JAMES T. GRAHAM, O. SEDGWIQK. 

